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crumple. "You are quite right, of course. I have set a very poor example. I shall very
likely set more such examples in the future, my lord. I am, after all, a Northumberland
Ballinger, not a Hampshire Ballinger."
Harry came to his feet in a swift, dangerous motion that made Augusta take a hasty
step back.
"Damn it to hell, Augusta, you will cease using the reputation of your family as an
excuse for your own behavior, do you comprehend me?"
A chill went through her. Harry was very angry indeed and Augusta knew it was not
just because she had gone out riding in the face of an oncoming storm. "Yes, my lord.
You make yourself quite clear."
He drove his fingers through his damp hair in a gesture of frustrated fury. "Stop
looking at me as though you are the last Northumberland Ballinger standing on the castle
ramparts preparing to fight the enemy. I am not your enemy, Augusta."
"You sound like one at the moment. Do you think you will feel obliged to lecture me
during the whole of our married life, Graystone? It presents an unhappy prospect, does it
not?"
He turned back to survey the blaze he had started. "I have some small confidence that
you will eventually develop the ability to control your impulsive inclinations, madam."
"How very reassuring. I regret you were forced to come after me this afternoon, my
lord."
"So do I."
Augusta studied the strong set of his broad shoulders. "You had best tell me the worst
of it straightaway, Harry. I know 'tis not solely my riding off unescorted this afternoon
that has you in this mood. What did you discover in Richard's poem?"
He turned around slowly and gave her a hooded, brooding glance. "We have agreed
that you are in no way responsible for your brother's actions, have we not?"
A coldness clutched at her insides. No, Richard. You were no traitor. I do not care
what they say. Augusta forced herself to lift one shoulder in a negligent gesture. "As you
wish. What was in the poem, my lord?"
"It appears to be a message to the effect that the man we called the Spider was a
member of a club called the Saber."
Augusta frowned. "I do not believe I have ever heard of it."
"That is hardly surprising. It was a small gentleman's club that catered to military
types. The premises were off St. James Street. It did not last long." Harry paused. "There
was a fire, I believe. Some two years ago, as I recall. The building was destroyed and the
club was never revived by its members, to the best of my knowledge."
"I do not recall Richard ever mentioning that he was a member of this Saber Club."
"He may not have been. But somehow he found out that the Spider was.
Unfortunately, he does not tell me the identity of the bastard in that damned poem. Only
that he was a member of the club."
Augusta considered that. "But if you had a list of the members you might be able to
figure out which one was the Spider? Is that what you are thinking?"
" 'Tis precisely what I was thinking." Harry's brow rose. "You are very shrewd, my
dear."
"Perhaps I missed my calling. I might have made you an excellent intelligence agent,
my lord."
"Do you even mention the possibility, Augusta. The very thought of you working for
me as an agent is enough to keep me awake nights."
"What will you do now?"
"I shall make some inquiries, see if the proprietor of the club can be found. He might
still have a list of the members or be able to recall their names. It might be possible to
track down some of them."
"You are very determined to find this creature you call the Spider, are you not?"
"Yes."
Augusta heard the frightening lack of emotion in his words and felt cold again. She
gazed into the fire behind Harry. "Now that you have studied Richard's poem, you are
more convinced than ever that he was a traitor, are you not?"
"The matter is not yet resolved and probably never will be, Augusta. As you said,
there is the possibility your brother was trying to get the information to the authorities."
"But not very likely."
"No."
"As usual, you are depressingly honest, my lord." Augusta summoned a weary smile.
"I shall, of course, form my own opinion."
Harry inclined his head gravely. "Of course. You must continue to believe as you wish
on the matter. Whether or not Richard was a traitor is no longer of great consequence to
anyone."
"Except to me." Augusta drew herself up bravely. "I shall continue to believe in his
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